Robert Levesque, principle of R. Levesque Associates in Westfield, left center, explains a site plan of the Hampden Care Facility located at 27 Hudson Drive in Southwick as a group of attorneys, left, listen during Tuesday night’s meeting with the Southwick Planning Board. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
SOUTHWICK – A Southwick Planning Board special permit hearing on a request to allow a medical marijuana cultivation operation at 27 Hudson Drive was continued to Oct. 29 at 7:15 p.m.
The land is owned by Paul Dellatorre, who wants to lease the property to Hampden Care of New York.
Dellatorre previously had a rose growing business at the site and existing greenhouses would be retrofitted.
Dellatorre and his attorney Richard Evans, as well as Hampden Care board members Thomas and Peter Gallagher and their attorney Steve Reilly, and landscape architect Robert Levesque, attended the Oct. 15 hearing. Reilly recommended the board take time to digest the site plans presented Tuesday and continue the hearing.
The Gallaghers are in the process of applying to run a medical marijuana dispensary and said their application is due Nov. 21 and they would like the board’s decision by then so they can proceed.
To expedite the process, Planning Board Vice Chairperson Roz Terry said they would ask other town department heads to weigh-in before Oct. 29.
“We would like to have a joint meeting with the planning board, police, fire and DPW,” Levesque said.
Levesque presented the site plan Tuesday for the board’s review. The plan offered a detailed narrative of the proposed use of the property, including use of space and plans for lighting, security and more.
Peter Gallagher explained how the operation would work.
“The cultivation begins in the cloning room and when the [plants] reach a certain level, they’re potted,” said Gallagher. “After a month, they’re put in the flowering room. Once they are grown, they are taken into the trimming room.”
The cultivation includes a baking process. Terry wanted to make sure that was included in the plans so that the special permit, if issued, was as accurate as possible.
Gallagher was asked about any smell that could escape during the process and he said filters would be installed so that there was no odor released into the air. Gallagher added that this was not a requirement, but was done in the spirit of being “a good neighbor.”
The proposed hours of operation are 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., with employees and a security guard on site during business hours. After hours, Gallagher said there would be a caretaker.
The board asked if there was a requirement to have a security guard versus a caretaker. Gallagher said there was not and said in addition to being staffed 24-hours a day, there would be two camera security systems, one of which would be directly linked to the Southwick Police Department.
Levesque said an existing gravel driveway would remain, as well as another gravel driveway and two concrete pads outside. There would be a small public space for visitors, such as utility workers or food delivery for employees. The plans include the existing greenhouse as well as two butler-style buildings. A 10-foot high fence with razor wire would encircle the property.
Levesque pointed out that Dellatorre owns property next to the site, which is not part of the request.
The public will have the opportunity to weigh-in on the project at the Oct. 29 hearing in the Land Use Room at Town Hall at 7:15 p.m.
